Accidents
A loud crash woke James from his sleep and he rushed to investigate, illuminating the dark house with a small orb of light in his hand. He crept around the corner before another thump erupted. James whipped his head around - the sound was coming from Sirius’ room.
James turned the handle and let the light infect his friend's room. His eyes widened as he saw his friend lying on the floor in agony, large vines of darkness enshrouding him and boring into his eyes. The red glare of his alarm clock had been contorted and the numbers which should have read 5:30 a.m. now flooded down beside the struggling boy. Sirius’ mouth was open and his body was contorting and thrashing around, desperately trying to get away from something that was only visible to him.
James rushed to his side and desperately pulled on the enshrouding ropes of darkness which encapsulated his friend - his brother. The vines hissed and screamed as James came closer, the light which was now emulating from the boy had become overwhelming and unbearable, challenging the brightness of the sun itself. They caused such noise that it awoke the others and they too were forced to watch as James desperately clung to his friend - desperate to save him from the darkness which was now too clawing at him. James could hear nothing, the light and darkness were fighting inside him and the angry cries of Remus were drowned out - and then it stopped. James looked down to see that he had dropped Sirius, leaving the man to continue his fight alone as James fought his own brain to help him, he could not leave him there. And yet he found he could no longer control his own legs as they took him further away from his friend who had now gone limp on the floor and into the arms of his father - his tight grip securing him and making it impossible for him to run. Sound hit his ears once more and there was silence before James began to cry, loud heavy sobs as he collapsed. He looked to see Remus by Sirius’ side, reading inscriptions to soothe the boy, and yet James could see the paths carved into his face by tears. Peter too was removing the tears from his face as all three boys asked themselves the same question - How many times had this happened before?
A slight nudge brought James back to reality as Sirius wore his signature smile. “C’mon Mr Helio lighten up mate” He placed a punch on his shoulder and bound ahead of James, both hands resting behind his head in some kind of confident swagger. James watched him silently before sharing a quick glance with the rest of his friends who wore an equally concerned look - it was as if he had forgotten what had occurred hours before, although it may be in his friend's interest to forget. Perhaps there is something truly damaging in his mind, something ever-consuming that is praying on his only moment of vulnerability as a means to fulfill some sick and twisted gain over Sirius. But, James doesn't know. How could he possibly know when Sirius doesn't even know himself? Trying to ask James to understand is like trying to know someone he has never met.
So, He stays silent. He doesn't bring up last night and allows his friend to live blissfully unaware. Friend protects friend, brother protects brother, Sun protects Star. It's an unspoken deal that he has made with the universe. He shakes his head and catches up with his friend, proudly walking side by side as the rest of his friends slowly catch up with them. Perhaps, sometimes it was better to die than to speak.
His thoughts swarmed and consumed him, feeding on his anxiety and fear; leaving him defenseless to his surroundings. James was promptly ripped out of his own head as his body collided with another. He sat on the floor for a moment, processing what happened before he quickly stood up and brushed himself off - feeling blessed at the fact that his friends were still walking, completely unaware that he was no longer with them.
He heard a quiet swear and he quickly turned to the poor unsuspecting person that he bumped into and James swore at that his entire being ached. The person he had bumped into was gorgeous - James had no other words for them. Their soft black curls and blue eyes pierced his with a cold glare through their glasses.
James reached out a hand “I am so sorry” he apologised. The person swatted his hand away and stood by himself, brushing his hands on their clothes, their face contorted into a scowl before they glared at him “Watch where you're going next time”. His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
James scratched the back of his neck “Right. Will do” he glanced down at his hand still tingled from where it had been hit away - for some reason, James in that moment did not care. He watched as the boy scowled at him, allowing a soft smile to creep on his lips.
“Oi James!” Peter called out “You coming or what?” James ripped his eyes from the boy and turned to face his friend before waving “Coming!” he called back. He then looked back at the boy and smiled “I'm, uh, James, by the way” He held out a hand for the boy to shake who begrudgingly took it. “Im… Leo.” The boy, Leo, managed to get out.
“Like the star?” James asked quizzically. “It's a constellation” Leo huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and James couldn't help but allow a smile to consume his face. “It's a pretty cool name”
“JAMES!” Peter stood expectantly, all his friends now staring from a distance and James laughed before turning back to the boy “See you around Leo” he beamed before bounding off to his friends.
Peter clasped James on the back as he finally caught up with them again and He couldn't help but turn back to try and catch another glimpse of that mysterious boy, but when he turned back, he had already disappeared into the crowd of workers.
There was something familiar about that boy, something that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
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